ESSEX will be determined to boost their chances of progressing from the T20 Blast South Group when they play back-to-back matches.

The county face Kent on Thursday in Canterbury before welcoming Glamorgan to Chelmsford on Friday night.

Essex boosted their chances of progress with consecutive wins last Thursday and Friday but head coach Paul Grayson knows his team cannot rest on their laurels.

“We had belief in the group that we would turn it around,” said Grayson. “We knew once we had everyone back and we got a bit of confidence going then we are a good one-day side.

“We bowl well, our fielding has been a lot better and Mark Pettini has been making a big difference at the top of the order.

“We have won our last three games and have given ourselves a chance of qualifying but those four losses earlier in the competition mean we have to keep on winning.”

Despite another fine innings by Michael Klinger, Essex gained sweet revenge for their defeat at Bristol last month by beating Gloucestershire by 18 runs on Thursday.

And 24 hours later Paul Grayson’s team cruised to a seven-wicket win over Sussex.

Klinger, who scored an unbeaten century in that first meeting, made his presence felt again with 104 not out – but it was not enough to save his side from defeat as they replied to Essex’s 181 with 163 for seven at Chelmsford.

Graham Napier played an important part in Gloucestershire's woes with some hostile bowling that brought him three wickets for 30 runs from his four overs – and he received good support from off-spinner Tom Westley (two for 27).

Essex had been given a super start by opener Mark Pettini, who shared in an opening stand of 46 in 4.1 overs with Jesse Ryder and one of 68 in eight overs with Westley.

On Friday, tight bowling from the Essex’s all-seam attack, notably by Shaun Tait and Ravi Bopara, restricted Sussex to 140 for nine from their 20 overs.

Although Essex lost the big-hitting Jesse Ryder in the second over of their reply, a punishing stand of 99 in 12 between Mark Pettini and Tom Westley set up a comfortable victory for the Eagles.

Sussex had been indebted to their experienced overseas player Mahela Jayawardene, whose 52 was the cornerstone of their total of 140 for nine.

But Essex replied with 143-3 to make it three wins on the trot in the T20 campaign.